Cycling summary of TfGM’s latest consultations

Following feedback from members we’ve collated information from TfGM’s Bus Priority scheme on this page, focusing on the elements of the scheme that will affect cyclists. The proposals should improve conditions for existing cyclists, but more importantly they aim to encourage some of the many ‘would be’ cyclists to start cycling.

TfGM have proposed highways changes in parts of Greater Manchester, to improve journeys for bus passengers, cyclists and pedestrians. The two public consultations currently taking place are for the Oxford Road corridor and the Manchester city centre area. These public consultations run until Wednesday 26th June 2013. Update 11/6/2013 – the public consultation period has been extended and will now run until Friday 5th July 2013.

The first definite information about the plans for Oxford Road came in the Vélocity2025 bid document (1.9MB PDF) that was released early in May 2013. On page 18 it stated: “Ambitious plans to bring the best of northern Europe to the best of northern England will transform the Oxford Road into a flagship corridor for people of all ages and all abilities on bikes… Dutch-style full segregation of cycle routes will feature prominently along a 4 mile long flat thoroughfare and will be complemented by reduced speed limits of 20mph.”

Later in May we were invited to a pre-consultation event where we saw copies of the Oxford Road consultation leaflet. This leaflet contains details of the various changes to traffic flows on Oxford Road, the most noticeable change being the removal of general traffic for most sections, with just buses, cycles and pedestrians being able to travel the full length of the route. The leaflet also describes the ‘bus-stop bypass’ cycle lanes but unfortunately it does not clearly state that the cycle lanes proposed for Oxford Road will be protected from motorised traffic. Following feedback from GMCC the consultation website has since been updated and the following information is now listed in the FAQ: “Between the bus stops the cycle lanes will be separated or protected from motorised traffic, either through a kerb, marker or another option currently being trialled in the UK. Further work on the detailed design of the cycle lanes will be carried out after the consultation period.”

The Manchester city centre consultation leaflet contains details of the proposed changes for Portland Street, Princess Street, Sackville Street, Chorlton Street, Aytoun Street, Lever Street and Dale Street. General traffic will be restricted on these streets too, whilst cycling permeability will be maintained or increased. There are currently no proposals for any protected cycle lanes or bus-stop bypasses on any of these streets, but you (and we) can (and will!) suggest improvements for this part of the scheme.